Diapherodes gigantea

[PeteM]

The giant green bean stick insect.
I originally purchased this as a feeder for a chameleon. Received it in the summer when it was an inch or two long. Now too big to feed but really gentle and fun to have as a pet in the grow room.

 

[abax]

What does he/she eat??? Is this critter in the mantis family of insects?

 

[eds]

Not a mantid - different order and strictly vegetarian, but do look very similar in some ways.

I used to keep the standard Indian ones as a child - I'm glad I didn't get those by mistake!

 

[Djthomp28]

Oh my! How did this one miss becoming dinner?

 

[PeteM]

What does he/she eat??? Is this critter in the mantis family of insects?

Raspberry bush is what I feed them, I'm able to grow the bush in the orchid room. They also eat other specific plants, but mainly keepers feed them types of Bramble.

 

[PeteM]

Oh my! How did this one miss becoming dinner?

I was planning to breed her, but when they are young it's difficult to sex them and I did not receive a male in my group. So she just got too big. Now she is a family pet and a highlight of the orchid room for my 3yr old daughter, who enjoys holding her with my assistance.

 

[NYEric]

Very cool.

 

[Linus_Cello]

I can only imagine the headlines if one escapes in the summer. Move over snakeheads.

 

[cnycharles]

Cool! We grow and sell blackberry plugs if you need more though probably cheaper to just go outside

 

[Don I]

It's a nice pet.
Don